Cross channel in "Dutch barge"

DoubleEnder

DoubleEnder

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A friend has a 57 foot steel boat in the Netherlands. ten years old, ish. 26 tons design displacement, 90hp Beta, all in good order, draws a bit less than 3 feet. Steel.

He wants to bring it back to UK, to be based on the northern U.K. canal network - it's a wide beam at 12'6" so we can't enter the southern canals.

I'm trying to convince myself that we can do this under our own steam, but I'm probably being daft. Or am I? Truck and ferry will be quicker and safer but how much safer....?

Any thoughts?
 
Things to think about. there will be more I expect.
When was she last surveyed? ; the stress on her will be greater on open water than the canals.
Does she have the range, ? ; when was the last time she was run down to low tanks and shaken around, you may have diesel bug you do not know about.
On a flat sea she would be OK, but what if the sea got up, does she have the power to turn into and ride the waves.
Do you have the kit on board to do this trip?
Whats her cruising speed, do you need more bodies to stand watch.
does she have radar as crossing the shipping channel on a slow boat can be er interesting!
Its getting to the time of year when it gets cold and lumpy. does the trip appeal in those conditions.;
 
It was in connection with a narrowboat, but some years ago there was a similar discussion hereabouts and boarding up widows and travelling with an escort were mentioned. As was flat sea, in capital letters.
 
Years ago amate took a converted Dutch canal barge to Ireland in the winter..........he got there.In fine flat sea no problem the problem will be slamming in head seas and as mentioned churning up possible siltin fuel tanks..Best go via the shortes sea route via Dover so there is shelter on both sides of the North Sea to shelter
 
Given they cross the channel in small inflatables these days a Dutch barge should have no problem ona calm period of weather. Assuming you can cruise at seven or eight knots just pick a strong high pressure period.

You might find the road option tricky with that length and weight. A 44 ton lorry can carry a max of 24 - 26 tons depending on the weight of the tractor and trailer unit. They will want a bit of leeway on that.
 
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Ive crossed the channel a fair few times in seagoing boats. Sailing yachts, so no probs with low speed. I’m just not v familiar with the seaworthiness of this type of craft. I’ve fairly often seen similar in Ramsgate after they’ve come over from presumably Ostend. That crossing wouldn’t worry me, 6 knots in a solid calm forecast. Then across the Estuary again I’ve done that plenty of times and a good forecast will see us to Harwich or Southwold.
The worrying bit is around Suffolk and Norfolk and in to the Wash.

I assume the boat was trucked over after being built in U.K. but yes quite a pricey job, needs an escort too.....
 
There is a barge forum and a canal forum they will probably advise you better ...........
Ray Bowern Transport Boat Services worth a try - VERY experienced with wide beams and continental movements..
All contacts can be found via google - sorry I cant do links
 
There's loads of Dutch barges in Essex marinas being used as houseboats, I'd imagine they all crossed. They must be fairly seaworthy as they spent their working life going up and down the Rhine and Saône and they can be as bad as the sea.
 
I used to know someone who knew someone who brought them over.
First thing they used to do was disconnect the fuel system and plumb it into a new 45 gallon drum of diesel.
Bit bouncy and a bit rolly but they always made it with no mishaps.
 
Traditional Dutch barges were constructed of iron on iron frames and with a riveted hulls. Designed to carry cargoes in most weathers likely to be encountered plying their trade.
A different kettle of fish from the wide beam narrow boats built today out of welded steel and designed mainly with internal accomodation in mind.
Suspect the old Dutch barges weigh considerably more, were much more beamy and therefore more able to do any channel crossing in comfort.
 
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